S&W Bodyguard .380 VS Karh P380

12943 Views 27 Replies 13 Participants Last post by tele_pathic, Mar 27, 2013

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · Mar 20, 2013

Hey guys I'm looking at 2 different carry guns. I actually look at three but the sig p238 is just way out of my price range. I see no point in spending $700 on a .380 ACP when I can get a good 9mm. But I am in the market for a good reliable .380 for concealed carry. I have been looking at the bodyguard from S&W for a while and have seen good and bad. It holds great in my hands as do all S&W Semi-Auto's. But I can never find a Karh P380 to hold and compare. I was wondering what the people who carry these firearms think of them.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

Milsurp70

· #2 · Mar 20, 2013

I have a SW Bodyguard and like it. Have had no problems with it. The laser is a bit weak and cheesy but it works. It shoots great. Better than I expected.
It is not my primary carry, but a nice pocket gun. And I agree with you about the sig. Nice gun, but why pay that much for a .380

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 20, 2013

About how many round do you have through it?

Milsurp70

· #4 · Mar 20, 2013

About 200 so far.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 20, 2013

How does the trigger stack up to the others like lcp?

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Milsurp70

· #6 · Mar 20, 2013

I have an lcp too. I personally like the trigger on the bodyguard better. But that is me. They both have a long travel but that is normal for "pocket guns".

I do like the fact that the bodyguards slide locks back after the last round. Again that is my opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 20, 2013

That's one thing I pike about the bodyguard and the kahr is the slide lock feature.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Milsurp70

· #8 · Mar 20, 2013

I added a rubberized grip to mine. It improved the "feel" of it a lot.
Like I said. I have a LCP too. I am thinking about trading it for something else.

Sorry I couldn't help with an opinion on the kahr.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 20, 2013

That's ok. That's why I was asking for both. You've helped me. Thank you

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

StevePVB

· #10 · Mar 20, 2013

I have a fairly new Bodyguard. I've got about 400 rounds through it with no problems -- Federal 90 gr Hydra-Shok and Magtech 95 gr.

I guess I need to adjust the laser (although it isn't very convenient to use -- especially if you are "in a hurry"). Using the laser I was consistently low right. At least the iron sights are accurate.

CigarStix

· #11 · Mar 20, 2013

How's the shooting "feel" compare between the LCP and Bodyguard? I've got a LCP for pocket carry at work, but I hate shooting it. Hurts like hell.

Milsurp70

· #12 · Mar 20, 2013

The bodyguard didn't kick too bad. I put 100 through it my last range trip and was fine after.

I agree about the lcp. Couldn't do it with that one. I like them both, but favor the bodyguard.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Aiko

· #13 · Mar 20, 2013

No experience with the bodyguard but my P380 was a total lemon. My lgs ended up giving me a credit which i used towards the Sig P238 which i was very happy with.

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 20, 2013

Lasers aren't necessary. They r useless when "you're in a hurry" ad u said. Self defense distance is point and shoot usually.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 20, 2013

The lcp is a hard to shoot gun. I shot it once and hated it. Not a fan of the lc9 either. Good gun, just not for me.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

ron54

· #16 · Mar 20, 2013

I have owned a P380 & a P238, both are great guns. The Sig is a SA & the Kahr is a DAO, triggers on both are quite good. The Sig is all steel & Kahr polymer, obviously The Sig is heavy for a pocket gun. They both have really nice sights and are good shooting guns. I never had a problem with either gun, both were flawless for hundreds of rounds and were not bad shooting at the range. I have no experience with the S&W, but there is a recent thread on this forum about their 380. I would review it. It comes down to how you want to carry the gun, the Kahr is light and can go in gym or nylon type short pockets and not pull down your pants. The Sig is great also but you really need to carry it cocked and locked with safety on, just like a 1911 which it is modeled after. My 2 cents worth on those guns if its any help to you.

See less See more

WannabeaCPA

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 20, 2013

That's good insight. I've been trying to find the p380 for a while but no one in my area has them not academy or gander mnt much less the pawn shops. I am a huge fan of kahr's trigger. It's long but smooth. I've been looking at the cm9 or the pm9 but wanted to carry in the pocket or have one as a backup gun.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

elfman

· #18 · Mar 21, 2013

I have both a S&W Bodyguard 380 and a Ruger LCP that I have added a Crimson Trace laser to. I see pros and cons to both based on my experience with them. I have never owned or shot a Kahr P380

What I like about the Bodyguard is the useable sights on the gun, the sights on the LCP are near useless. I find the trigger pull a little longer and harder on the Bodyguard than on the LCP. I find the standard laser on the Bodyguard essentially useless as it is too difficult to activate during a situation requiring quick draw and aim. They both feel good in my hand so no preference there. I don't really find that much difference in shooting comfort from recoil between the two. They are both small and light (the primary consideration for me in selecting a CCW) and both have been very reliable in practice at a shooting at a range. Cost was also a big consideration in selecting these. With using the laser sights a relatively close range I achieve about the same accuracy with both, but without use of the laser I do better with the Bodyguard. I find the safety on the Bodyguard useless in practice, the release button is to small and difficult to move that I would think about keeping it on. Even though I keep a round in the chamber I feel comfortable without a safety for both given the DAO and long trigger pull.

See less See more

Paco23

· #19 · Mar 21, 2013

elfman said:
I have both a S&W Bodyguard 380 and a Ruger LCP that I have added a Crimson Trace laser to. I see pros and cons to both based on my experience with them. I have never owned or shot a Kahr P380

What I like about the Bodyguard is the useable sights on the gun, the sights on the LCP are near useless. I find the trigger pull a little longer and harder on the Bodyguard than on the LCP. I find the standard laser on the Bodyguard essentially useless as it is too difficult to activate during a situation requiring quick draw and aim. They both feel good in my hand so no preference there. I don't really find that much difference in shooting comfort from recoil between the two. They are both small and light (the primary consideration for me in selecting a CCW) and both have been very reliable in practice at a shooting at a range. Cost was also a big consideration in selecting these. With using the laser sights a relatively close range I achieve about the same accuracy with both, but without use of the laser I do better with the Bodyguard. I find the safety on the Bodyguard useless in practice, the release button is to small and difficult to move that I would think about keeping it on. Even though I keep a round in the chamber I feel comfortable without a safety for both given the DAO and long trigger pull.

I agree.

The things I like about the Bodyguard are......
1. It has a natural "dead on" aim when I pull it up.
2. It has sights that you can use and are adjustable.
3. The laser....... meh Didn't buy it for that anyway.
4. I have found it to be very accurate for a pocket gun.
5. I like the last shot slide hold open feature.
6. Slide lock.
7. TAKE DOWN LEVER is a huge plus! Most other pocket guns you have to push a roll pin out to field strip and clean.
8. Manual safety in addition to the double action long trigger pull. Good for those who carry with one in the chamber and are not comfortable without a safety.

It has all of the features of a "Big" gun in a nice, compact unit.

See less See more

phil413tx

· #20 · Mar 21, 2013

I have a Kahr P380 and I love it! I can't believe how accurate the little gun is. I usually carry a 9 but I do like to carry the P380 in the summer time. In the winter the Kahr sits in a safe and I have thought about selling it. Then I take it to the range and it just makes me smile. I just can't part with the little gun. I know some people complain about them. Most of the problems were with the earlier models. The newer ones are great! Kahr just introduced the CW380, so you might start seeing more of those out soon.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.